BAE Systems has received a US$58m contract from Boeing to launch low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the F-15 Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) for the US Air Force (USAF).
The company announced that it had received the contract from Boeing on March 2. It added that the “successful completion of a series of rigorous flight tests, ground tests and intensive technology demonstrations led to the [USAF’s] decision to proceed with LRIP.”
![F-15E EPAWSS [Boeing]](https://fullfatthings-keyaero.b-cdn.net/sites/keyaero/files/inline-images/Boeing%20F-15E%20Strike%20Eagle%20EPAWSS%20%5BBoeing%5D%201.jpg)
Designed as an electronic warfare (EW) and countermeasure system, the all-digital EPAWSS platform provides F-15 pilots with advanced electromagnetic capabilities that enhances overall survivability and helps to maintain air superiority over the battlespace. BAE Systems states that EPAWSS allows pilots to monitor, jam and deceive threats in contested airspace. It adds that the system combines multispectral sensors with countermeasures, signal processing, microelectronics and intelligent algorithms to deliver fully integrated, enhanced radar warning, situational awareness, geolocation and self-protection capabilities.
Jerry Wohletz, vice president and general manager of Electronic Combat Solutions at BAE Systems, said: “The start of EPAWSS production marks a critical milestone and is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our industry team. Our technology is cutting-edge, our factories are world-class, and our people are innovative and mission-focused.”
BAE Systems adds that it continues to deliver incremental updates, including new geolocation and threat identification capabilities, to the EPAWSS flight software during the programme’s Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase. It states that, as a result, “system performance continues to improve in ground/flight test and in dense signal environments in hardware-in-the-loop (HiTL) tests at the USAF’s Integrated Demonstrations and Applications Laboratory.”
Lt Col Dan Carroll, F-15 EPAWSS programme manager with the USAF, added: “The LRIP milestone is the culmination of years of hard work by a lot of great people within the government and our Boeing and BAE Systems industry partners. EPAWSS will significantly improve the survivability and utility of the F-15 and will be a great complement to what is already a very capable and lethal aircraft.”
